Mozfest 2016 for Participation

Earlier this month a group of people met in Berlin to imagine and design Mozfest 2016.

Blending inspiration and ideas from open news, science, localization, youth, connected devices and beyond – we spent three glorious days collaborating and building a vision of a Mozfest like no other.

The Participation team emerged from this experience with a new vision for Mozillian participation we’re calling ‘Mozfest Space* Contributors’. Roles designed to bring success on the goals of every space in the building. This is a very different approach from recent years where our focus has been more participatory as facilitators, helpers and learners. With this new approach, we’re inviting contribution, ownership and responsibility in shaping the event. Super, super exciting – I hope you agree!

Exploring the potential of contributor roles within Spaces, we found amazing potential! Open Science imagined a ‘Science Translator’ role – helping people overcome scientific jargon to connect with ideas. The Web Literacy group has big plans for their physical space, one where a ‘Set Designer’ would be incredibly helpful in making those dreams come true.

Open News, and others thought about ‘Help Desk’ leads, and more than one space has suggested that the addition of technical mentors and session translators would bring diversity and connection. Can you see yet why this will be amazing?

Outreach for contributors this year will be focused squarely on finding people with the skills, passion, vision and a commitment to supporting these spaces. In many cases roles will be a key part of planning in the months leading up to Mozfest.

Also – we’re already piloting this very idea! having recently selecting Priyanka Nag and Mayur Patil to be part of the Participation team’s Mozfest planning. I’m so grateful for their help and leadership in making this a fantastic experience for wranglers and contributors alike.

On July 15th we’ll post all available roles, and launch the application process. You can find an FAQ here.

Sponsorship from the Participation Team for Mozfest 2016 will be for these roles only. The call for the proposals will be run by the MozFest organizers who will have a limited number of travel stipends available through that separate process.

* Space – an area of Mozfest with content and space built and activated under a certain theme (like Open Science, Youth Zone and Web Literacy)